Full Teapot: Leif joins the family

Our family grows.

Leif Tennison was born March 13, 2013. He weighed 8 lb 5.5oz.

Peter meets his baby brother for the first time!

We are soo thankful for our community in Anchorage.

I had kidney stones the week before the birth and an infection the week after.

The birth itself was smooth!

We were held together during these crazy couple of weeks by friends. Dear Ayme and Lee each spent a night with me in hospital, allowing Leif to keep breast-feeding. And Sarah, Ben, Izzy, and Suz, Mark, and Nora looked after Peter for long days and a couple of over-nights. And, soo many others helped with emergency rides to hospital, Peter-care, meals, and love. We feel soo thankful and humbled by everyone's open hearts and homes. And, full of thanks and joy for a healthy baby and the return of health and strength.

Goodbyes at Westchester Lagoon

And, below, David Freeman holding Leif. David camped at the condo with Peter when we had to leave in the middle of the night for the hospital with kidney stones... and drove us to the hospital 2.5hrs before we gave birth...a memorable drive!

Walking to the ski trails

Great cross-country skiing and Westchester.

Things we miss in Anchorage.

Elizabeth during the Tour of Anchorage

Aaron with his homemade kick-sled

Skating....

Peter and Dustin met Lee, David and Kathy off the ski train!

A huge highlight for Peter.

Peter now thinks having a little brother is a good thing, but he still prefers trucks and cars

On Easter Sunday, two weeks after Leif's birth, we caught the ferry in Whittier and headed home. We were swept up by community on the ferry. Julie Wolf was there (Yay!), and looked after Peter while we napped some, and the science club (many of our neighbors and friends) were on board. It was a fun trip home. We put on head-lamps and spikes, and walked down the trail and back to our peaceful home after midnight. Lovely to be home, and great to see Maggie and Moggy again.

The first week back was truly paradise, and we kept having to pinch ourselves to believe we really live here. We had a couple of visitors each day, but didn't leave the lagoon ourselves. The weather was incredible, hot and sunny, and we slowly caught up with sleep, unpacking, and spent all the time we could on the beach. We gradually started to feel like a family of four, and slowly recovered from the crazy last few weeks.

We had a river-otter in our yard and in the meadow for a few days. He was feasting on salmon eggs (ready to hatch), diving down into the creek and turning over rocks.

He also explored the sliding options on our rooftop!

Dustin went back to work, and I'm slowly figuring out life with two boys.

I'm happy spring sunshine is bursting through the cold of winter, and like our neighbor says "anything seems possible now".

It's that time of year when birds return, days are long, and you can feel the energy in the air.

I've had one day when parenthood seemed like the most crazy decision anyone could make (all I wanted to do was go on a long solo hike...), but most of the time I'm enjoying it.

Learning (slowly) to have lower expectations, and I'm glad to have the lagoon, beach and wildlife in our back-yard. We're having full days; lots of time with friends and outside fun, and I'm still trying to fit in some work. But, this time feels rich, even if a little sleep-deprived.